BOSTON -- After experiencing recent setbacks in their rehab assignments, both Shane Victorino and Will Middlebrooks are making some progress toward their respective returns.Middlebrooks is in the lineup for Triple A Pawtucket on Tuesday as the designated hitter. Some of the swelling has gone down in his injured finger, and he has been able to take ground balls at third base. But he is "not to where he's completely limit-free," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "The swelling is starting to be reduced some," Farrell said, "but having been pulled back for five days after rehab, we've gotta get him going again."Considering the fact that the Red Sox are looking for some offensive production from its outfield, Farrell was asked if Middlebrooks would see any time in left. "Our original plan was to expose left field at some point," Farrell said. "Because of the reoccurring swelling in the finger, we shut everything down. We're somewhat starting over in a sense, but at some point over the next 20 days, we'd like to get some exposure there. But as we've seen with other guys, produce with the bat, we'll find a way to get you on the field defensively."Shane Victorino isn't quite as far along. After aggravating his lower back and delaying the recovery of his hamstring, his rehab assignment has stalled. He has, however, begun to pick up conditioning work in recent days."Vic continues to increase his jogging, running and agility work," Farrell said. "I would hope that sometime next week we could begin another rehab assignment for him in games played. This has been a start-and-stop situation. We're trying to do everything that we can [so that] once we start it, it continues on." Mike Carp also continues to work his way back from a fractured foot. He's playing first base for the PawSox on Tuesday and is expected to get three at-bats and between five and seven innings in the field."The original plan was for him to DH," Farrell said, "but Middlebrooks is back in the lineup there today."

Phil Perry serves as a general reporter for Comcast SportsNet, mainly covering the New England Patriots. Follow Phil on Twitter here.